What procedures are required for imported vehicles?
2 Answers
Importing a vehicle requires several documents: the Import Certificate of Goods, the Inspection Sheet for Imported Motor Vehicles, the Vehicle Conformity Certificate, and the vehicle purchase invoice. First, the Import Certificate of Goods, also known as the dock receipt, is issued by customs. It serves as a crucial 'identity card' for parallel-imported vehicles and is an essential document for customs clearance. Without this certificate, parallel-imported vehicles cannot be registered. The content of the import certificate can identify the specific vehicle model, and the production location refers to the final manufacturing site, not the place of origin. It is important to keep this document safe, as reissuing it can be very troublesome if lost. The Inspection Sheet for Imported Motor Vehicles (commodity inspection) is another necessary document for registering parallel-imported vehicles. Without this inspection sheet, registration is impossible. Vehicle Conformity Certificate: Discrepancies in the names of the documents can make registration difficult. Manufacturers provide a Vehicle Conformity Certificate, stamped by the company and signed by the responsible personnel, when the vehicle leaves the factory. Therefore, it is essential to request this certificate when purchasing the vehicle. Purchase Invoice: The invoice is required for paying the purchase tax during registration. It should be carefully preserved and not folded or damaged.
I've personally imported a car before, and the procedures were quite extensive. First, you need to find a professional customs broker to handle the import license—otherwise, the car won't even make it past the border. At customs, you have to pay three types of taxes: import duty, VAT, and consumption tax, which combined can amount to around 40% of the car's value. During customs clearance, you also need to provide documents like the vehicle’s certificate of origin and original/copy of the purchase invoice. Customs will also inspect the car and verify the VIN. After all this, you move on to the DMV for registration, where you’ll need the Imported Motor Vehicle Inspection Report to obtain an environmental certification—only after passing the emissions test will they issue a license plate. The entire process takes at least 20 days, and if documents are incomplete, delays of up to two months aren’t uncommon.
